Just moments ago, the Nevada Senate Legislative Operations and Elections committee voted to amend SJR13, legislation that would begin the multi-year process that would repeal the state’s ban on same-sex marriage to include language that would allow same-sex couples the right to marry the person they love.

The committee voted in favor (3-2) along party lines to adopt the amendment. The next step for the bill is to head to the full senate for consideration.

In order to amend a constitutional amendment and allow for full marriage equality to take effect in the state, the legislature must pass the legislation, without gubernatorial approval, in this session and the same bill in next legislative session (2015); the bill will then go up to a vote by the people in 2016, where a simple majority is needed to pass.

In 2002, Nevada voters passed Question 2, banning marriage equality for same-sex couples. In 2009, the state passed domestic partnership legislation, becoming the 17th state to provide relationship recognition to same-sex couples. In recent polling, public opinion has shown growing support for marriage equality with 54% of Nevada voters supporting same-sex marriage.